My name is Charlotte, sometimes known as Ms Lottie, occasionally as The Slightly Mad Quilt Lady. This is my blog, where you'll find me writing a lot about my quilting and textile arts and a little about my family's life in a small seaside town in New Zealand. Haere mai!

Friday, July 17, 2015

Opua Arts Studio and Gallery Update

Well, we are open for business!  One week ago exactly, I was pouring glasses of wine, smiling fit to burst and welcoming everyone to Opua Arts.  It was a great little opening; we had a brazier going outside, live music provided by one of the artists, wine, nibbles and lots of enthusiasm.  I couldn't have asked for more.


This is the view from upstairs.  Here I'm hoping to have classes, sit and stitch evenings and other community art gatherings.  When it's sunny it's divine, but even when it's inclement there is always something happening on the wharf to watch.  Can you see my boat on the right hand side of the picture?


I couldn't help admire the sun and shadows falling across this grouping above.  The artwork is graphite on gesso, a chiaroscuro work by Chris Wilkie.  The pottery is by Peter Yeates.

I have some very talented artists exhibiting and hopefully I'll have more soon.  I want some more of the smaller items, some artisan type work as well as the fine art. 


More pottery by Peter Yeates.  I quite like his rustic style - you can see the marks of the creator in it.


This is the only photo I got on opening night!  I just got far too busy talking and introducing and pouring drinks and talking some more!

But now that I'm open, things have settled down a bit more.  I've been over every day, even if it's just for a couple of hours.  I've met lots of people, all very enthusiastic for me.  I have several artists lined up to show me their work and several more who I have portfolios from to organise future exhibitions.  But I want more!  So artists and artisans - get in touch!


And here is one of the absolute best bits about the whole space - my new design wall.  After opening night, I rearranged the space a little to set up my sewing machine, my cutting and pressing table and my batting-covered, polystyrene design wall.  Bliss!  I think I've been more productive in the past week than I have in the last month just from being in a space that is set up purely for creativity.

There is still lots to do.  More signage, more advertising, more paperwork.  But I'm getting there.  And just so, so happy to be be on the journey.

Have a great weekend.

12 comments:

  1. You go girl! So inspiring especially as all my creative juices are going into planning lessons for school at the moment. Miss you!

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  2. looks fabulous! i wish you the best.

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  3. How exciting for you Charlotte! I must take a drive up your way some time....would love to meet up and see your studio :o)

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  4. Everythings looks great! A real gallery and studio! I'm squee-ing in delight for you over here.

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  5. Everythings looks great! A real gallery and studio! I'm squee-ing in delight for you over here.

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  6. Quilterbirds are go :)

    Looks wonderful from here.

    viv

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  7. I so wish I could come visit in person! It looks fantastic; beautiful, artistic and approachable, and a great way to highlight local artists and artisans. If I ever do get to visit, I'm not sure I could be productive in a class or at your studio--I'd be too distracted by that view. Give me a cup of coffee and a chair by a window and I'll be content to just gaze...

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  8. How exciting Charlotte!! Looks like a piece of heaven!

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  9. Thank you everyone! It's p%$#ing down with rain here today so the view is not quite so inspiring, maybe dramatic is the right word. And, just in case you can't find my boat on the right hand side of the picture, that's because it's on the left ;-)

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  10. Congratulation on your official opening!! Glad you pointed out that your boat is on the left not the right - I was zooming in like crazy for the right!

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  11. Congratulations Charlotte, it looks wonderful & how fantastic to have your own great workspace there. All the best!

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  12. That all sounds just fabulous. So exciting. If I am ever in your neck of the woods I shall make a point of calling in to say Hello! Enjoy every minute.

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